Italy women's national football team
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Nickname(s) | Le Azzurre (The Blues) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Italian Football Federation (FIGC) | |||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | |||
Head coach | Milena Bertolini | |||
Captain | Sara Gama | |||
Most caps | Patrizia Panico (196) | |||
Top scorer | Patrizia Panico Elisabetta Vignotto (107) | |||
Home stadium | Various | |||
FIFA code | ITA | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 14 ![]() | |||
Highest | 10 (July 2003) | |||
Lowest | 19 (March 2017) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Viareggio, Italy, 23 February 1968) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Vercelli, Italy, 17 September 2014) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Ringsted, Denmark, 16 May 1982) ![]() ![]() (Larnaca, Cyprus, 6 March 2017) | ||||
World Cup | ||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1991) | |||
Best result | Quarter-finals (1991, 2019) | |||
European Championship | ||||
Appearances | 11 (first in 1984) | |||
Best result | Runners-up (1993, 1997) |
The Italy women's national football team (Italian: Nazionale di calcio femminile dell'Italia) has represented Italy in international women's football since their inception in 1968. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the governing body for football in Italy.
Formed in 1968, Italy took part in various unofficial international tournaments, hosting the first unofficial European Competition in 1969 and World Cup in 1970. Italy qualified for both the first World Cup in 1991, where they reached the quarter-finals, and the first European Championship. While Italy were runners-up in the European Championship in 1993 and 1997, they are yet to replicate similar success at the World Cup. In 2019, after a 20-year drought, Italy qualified for the World Cup where they equaled their previous best performance, reaching the quarter-finals.
History[]
1968–1984: Early history and unofficial tournaments[]
The women's national team played its first game on 23 February 1968, in Viareggio against Czechoslovakia. However, the national team was not yet part of the Italian Women's Football Federation, which was founded on 11 March in Viareggio. From the beginning, they took part in various continental and international tournaments in Europe and in the world, also achieving good successes. With the birth of the European Competition for Women's Football (1984), organized by UEFA, and later the Women's World Cup, organized by FIFA, the highest international women's competitions became equivalent to the men's competitions.
After its debut in 1968, the Italy national team took to the field to compete in other non-official international friendlies and tournaments, such as the European Competition in 1969 that saw it win the final over Denmark,[2] the World Cup in 1970 that saw it lose the final against the aforementioned Danish national team,[3] competitions both organized in Italy, and the Mundial in Mexico in 1971 where they achieved third place.[4] In 1979, Italy hosted, and participated in the unofficial European Competition, reaching the final again, which took place at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, and in which Denmark triumphed again.[5] Between 1981 and 1988 there were five editions of the Mundialito, an international invitation-only tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the women's football scene before the advent of the World Cup. Apart from the first edition in 1981 that was organized in Japan, the next four were organized in Italy, where the Italy national team obtained three victories and two second places overall.[6] The triumphs arrived in 1981, winning the group, in 1984 overcoming West Germany in the final and in 1984 overcoming the United States in the final, while in the other two editions it lost the final against England.
1984–1991: First World Cup and European Championship[]
In 1984, UEFA organized the first European Competition. Italy won Group 3 of the qualifiers, being one of four teams to qualify for the final round.[7] Italy faced Sweden, being defeated both in the first leg, played at the Flaminio Stadium in Rome in front of 10,000 spectators, and in the return match in Linköping.[7] In 1987, Italy again gained access to the European Competition, winning Group 4 of the qualifiers. In the final stage organized in Norway, Italy were defeated in the semi-final against the host nation, but achieved third place by defeating England, with goals by Carolina Morace and Elisabetta Vignotto.[8] Italy were also confirmed in the 1989 edition, having passed the qualifying phase with a play-off win against France. Italy finished fourth in the tournament, having lost the semi-final against West Germany after a penalty shoot-out, as well as in the third place match against Sweden after extra time.[9]
In the 1991 European Championship, Italy was once again admitted to the four-team finals, after having won the qualifying play-off against the Sweden.[10] In the final tournament, Italy repeated what had happened two years before, losing both the semi-final against the German hosts and the final for third place against Denmark, although even with the fourth-place finish, gained access to the first edition of the World Cup organized by FIFA in the same year.[10] The world championship was organized in China, as Italy was drawn into Group 3 together with Germany, Chinese Taipei and Nigeria.[11] Italy ended the group in second place with two victories against Taipei and Nigeria and a defeat against Germany; all four goals for the team came from Carolina Morace. Italy advanced to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Norway 3-2 after extra time.[11]
1993–1999: Twice European Championship runners-up[]
The 1993 European Championship was hosted in Italy.[12] After defeating England in the final play-off match, Italy overcame Germany in the semi-finals after a penalty shoot-out. In the final, played at the Manuzzi Stadium in Cesena, Italy was defeated 1–0 by Norway.[12] Norway also denied Italy a place at the 1995 European Championship, with a 7–3 aggregate loss in the qualifying play-offs. Consequently, Italy also didn't qualify for the 1995 World Cup.
Italy participated in the 1997 European Championship, with the number of teams participating in the competition increasing from four to eight. In Group B, Italy defeated Norway and drew against Denmark and Germany, still achieving first in the group advancing to the knockout stage.[13] In the semi-final Italy beat Spain 2–1, but in the final, were defeated 2–0 by Germany.[13] In 1998, Italy qualified for the World Championship for the second time. The 1999 edition took place in the United States, with Italy being drawn in Group B along with Brazil, Germany and Mexico. After a 1–1 draw against Germany in the debut match, Italy lost 2–0 to Brazil, and ended the group with a 2–0 victory over Mexico; Italy finishing third in the group and were eliminated.[14]
2000–2011: Decline[]
With the beginning of the 2000s, a decline in the performance of the Italy national team began. At the 2001 European Championship, Italy, coached by Carolina Morace, were eliminated in the group stage due to a worse goal difference compared to Norway.[15]
Four years later, at the 2005 European Championship, Italy finished last in its group with zero points, losing all three of their matches against Germany, Norway and France, conceding twelve goals overall.[16] Redemption came in the 2009 edition, with Italy defeating both England and Russia, advancing to the knock-out stage as second-placed in the group behind Sweden who had defeated them. In the quarter-finals, Italy faced Germany, where they lost 2–1; Germany would ultimately win their seventh continental title.[17]
Having failed to qualify for the 2003 and 2007 editions of the World Cup, Italy also failed to qualify for the 2011 edition in the intercontinental two-legged play-off between UEFA and CONCACAF. The United States won the first leg 1–0 in Padua with a goal by Alex Morgan in the fourth minute of added time, while they also won the second leg by a score of 1–0 in Bridgeview with a goal by Amy Rodriguez in the first half.[18]
2011–2017: Slim World Cup qualification miss[]
Italy qualified for the 2013 European Championship in Sweden by winning the qualifying group with nine victories out of ten matches. At the tournament, Italy was drawn in Group A with hosts Sweden, Denmark and Finland. With one win, one draw and one defeat, Italy advanced from the group stage to the quarter-finals in second place, but were defeated 1–0 by Germany.[19]
In the following two years, Italy, led by Antonio Cabrini, was involved in the qualification for the 2015 World Championship: despite eight victories out of ten games, including two record victories against Macedonia (11–0 and 15–0),[20] they finished in second place in Group 2 behind Spain, sending Italy to the play-offs. In the first round of the play-offs, Italy defeated Ukraine 4–3 on aggregate, but were defeated by the Netherlands 3–2 on aggregate in the final round of the play-offs.
Italy qualified for the 2017 European Championship second in its group behind Switzerland. At the European Championship, Italy finished in last place in Group B behind Germany, Sweden and Russia, despite the victory in the third game against Sweden.[21]
2017–present: First World Cup qualification in 20 years[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Italia_Team_%28Women_World_Cup_France_2019%29.jpg/240px-Italia_Team_%28Women_World_Cup_France_2019%29.jpg)
On 8 June 2018, twenty years since their last participation, Italy qualified for the 2019 FIFA World Cup, winning its qualifying group with a game in hand.[22] In the group stage of the tournament, Italy won Group C, recording two victories against Australia (2–1) and Jamaica (5–0), which guaranteed advancement to the knockout stage, with Italy's defeat to Brazil (0–1) irrelevant to the final table. In the round of 16, Italy won 2–0 over China, advancing to the quarter-finals for the second time in their history.[23] However, with a 2–0 defeat to European Champions the Netherlands, Italy's World Cup journey came to an end on 29 June 2019.[24]
Results and fixtures[]
- The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Legend
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2020[]
22 September UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying | Bosnia and Herzegovina ![]() | 0–5 | ![]() | showZenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
27 October UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying | Italy ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() | showEmpoli, Italy |
1 December UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying | Denmark ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | showViborg, Denmark |
2021[]
24 February UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying | Italy ![]() | 12–0 | ![]() | showFlorence, Italy |
10 June International friendly | Italy ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | showFerrara, Italy |
17 September 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G | Italy ![]() | v | ![]() | showTrieste, Italy |
21 September 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G | Croatia ![]() | v | ![]() | showKarlovac, Croatia |
22 October 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G | Italy ![]() | v | ![]() | showCastel di Sangro, Italy |
26 October 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G | Lithuania ![]() | v | ![]() | showVilnius, Lithuania |
26 November 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G | Italy ![]() | v | ![]() | show |
2022[]
July UEFA Women's Euro 2022 | Italy ![]() | v |
July UEFA Women's Euro 2022 | Italy ![]() | v |
July UEFA Women's Euro 2022 | Italy ![]() | v |
Managerial history[]
Year(s) | Manager |
---|---|
1969–1971 | |
1972–1978 | Amedeo Amadei |
1979–1981 | Sergio Guenza |
1981–1982 | Paolo Todeschini |
1982–1984 | Enzo Benedetti |
1984–1989 | |
1989–1993 | Sergio Guenza |
1993–1995 | Comunardo Niccolai |
1995–1997 | Sergio Guenza |
1997–1998 | Sergio Vatta |
1999 | Carlo Facchin |
1999–2000 | |
2000–2005 | Carolina Morace |
2005–2012 | Pietro Ghedin |
2012–2017 | Antonio Cabrini |
2017–present | Milena Bertolini |
Players[]
Current squad[]
The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2021 qualifying match against Israel on 24 February 2021.[25]
Caps, goals and player numbers are correct as of 24 February 2021, after the match against Israel.[26]
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | 22 November 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
GK | Francesca Durante | 12 February 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Laura Giuliani | 6 June 1993 | 45 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Katja Schroffenegger | 28 April 1991 | 6 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Elisa Bartoli | 7 May 1991 | 53 | 3 | ![]() | |
DF | Lisa Boattin | 3 May 1997 | 19 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Lucia Di Guglielmo | 26 June 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Sara Gama | 27 March 1989 | 101 | 5 | ![]() | |
DF | Laura Fusetti | 8 October 1990 | 7 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Martina Lenzini | 23 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Elena Linari | 15 April 1994 | 45 | 3 | ![]() | |
DF | Cecilia Salvai | 2 December 1993 | 28 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Linda Tucceri Cimini | 4 April 1991 | 9 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Martina Zanoli | 27 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Valentina Bergamaschi | 22 January 1997 | 24 | 2 | ![]() | |
MF | Arianna Caruso | 6 November 1999 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Valentina Cernoia | 22 June 1991 | 47 | 9 | ![]() | |
MF | Manuela Giugliano | 18 August 1997 | 35 | 3 | ![]() | |
MF | Cecilia Prugna | 7 November 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Martina Rosucci | 9 May 1992 | 43 | 3 | ![]() | |
MF | Annamaria Serturini | 13 May 1998 | 8 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Barbara Bonansea | 13 June 1991 | 69 | 26 | ![]() | |
FW | Sofia Cantore | 30 September 1999 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Valentina Giacinti | 2 January 1994 | 26 | 8 | ![]() | |
FW | Cristiana Girelli | 23 April 1990 | 65 | 33 | ![]() | |
FW | Benedetta Glionna | 26 July 1999 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Daniela Sabatino | 26 June 1985 | 45 | 27 | ![]() | |
FW | Stefania Tarenzi | 29 February 1988 | 14 | 2 | ![]() |
Recent call ups[]
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DF | Alice Tortelli | 22 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Aurora Galli | 13 December 1996 | 36 | 7 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Marta Mascarello | 15 October 1998 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Elisa Polli | 27 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
Competitive record[]
Competition | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
FIFA Women's World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Olympic Games | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
UEFA Women's Championship | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Mediterranean Games | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Universiade | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
FIFA Women's World Cup[]
FIFA Women's World Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
![]() |
Quarter-finals | 6th of 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | |
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Did not qualify | ||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 9th of 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
![]() | |||||||||
![]() | |||||||||
![]() | |||||||||
![]() |
Quarter-finals | 7th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 4 | |
![]() ![]() |
To be determined | ||||||||
Total | Best: quarter-finals | 3/9 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 12 | |
|
UEFA Women's Championship[]
UEFA Women's Championship record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
![]() |
Semi-finals | n/a | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd of 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th of 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th of 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
![]() |
Runners-up | 2nd of 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Runners-up | 2nd of 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | |
![]() |
Group stage | n/a | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
![]() |
Group stage | n/a | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 12 | |
![]() |
Quarter-finals | n/a | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
![]() |
Quarter-finals | n/a | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
![]() |
Group stage | n/a | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | |
![]() |
Qualified | ||||||||
Total | Best: runners-up | 11/12 | 32 | 8 | 6 | 18 | 36 | 56 | |
|
All-time records[]
Head-to-head record[]
- Key
The following table shows Italy's all-time official international record per opponent:
showOpponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W% | Confederation |
---|
Last updated: Italy vs Netherlands, 29 June 2019. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.[27]
FIFA rankings[]
Below is a chart of Italy's FIFA ranking from 2003 to the present.[28]
Top scorers[]
# | Player | Period | Goals | Caps | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Elisabetta Vignotto | 1970–1989 | 97 | 95 | 1.02 |
2 | Carolina Morace | 1978–2001 | 95 | 136 | 0.7 |
3 | Cristiana Girelli | 2011– | 36 | 67 | 0.54 |
4 | Patrizia Panico | 1996–2014 | 35 | 83 | 0.42 |
5 | Antonella Carta | 1984–1999 | 30 | 110 | 0.27 |
6 | 1976–1987 | 29 | 41 | 0.71 | |
7 | Melania Gabbiadini | 2011–2017 | 26 | 56 | 0.46 |
8 | Daniela Sabatino | 2011– | 25 | 61 | 0.41 |
9 | Barbara Bonansea | 2012– | 23 | 63 | 0.37 |
10 | 1970–1976 | 19 | 29 | 0.66 |
As of 7 March 2020.[27] Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.
See also[]
- Italy women's national under-20 football team
- Italy women's national under-17 football team
- Italy national football team
- Serie A (women's football)
- Sport in Italy
Notes[]
References[]
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ "Coppa Europa per Nazioni (Women) 1969". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Coppa del Mondo (Women) 1970". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Mundial (Women) 1971". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Inofficial European Women Championship 1979". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Mundialito (Women) 1981-1988". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b uefa.com (14 July 1991). "Europeo femminile 1991 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (14 March 1987). "Europeo femminile 1987 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (2 July 1989). "Europeo femminile 1989 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b uefa.com (14 July 1991). "Europeo femminile 1991 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Women's World Cup 1991 (China)". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b uefa.com (4 July 1993). "Europeo femminile 1993 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b uefa.com (12 July 1997). "Europeo femminile 1997 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Women's World Cup 1999 (USA)". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (7 July 2001). "Europeo femminile 2001 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (19 June 2005). "Europeo femminile 2005 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (10 September 2009). "Europeo femminile 2009 - Storia". UEFA.com (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Longman, Jeré (27 November 2010). "U.S. Tops Italy to Earn Spot in Women's World Cup". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (1 August 2013). "UEFA Women's EURO 2013 - History". UEFA.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Italdonne, il "Piola" porta fortuna: travolta la Macedonia". LaStampa.it (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ uefa.com (6 August 2017). "UEFA Women's EURO 2017 - History". UEFA.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Trionfo Italia femminile, va al Mondiale: Portogallo battuto 3-0". Repubblica.it (in Italian). 8 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Italia, sei bellissima: 2-0 alla Cina e quarti di finale". La Gazzetta dello Sport - Tutto il rosa della vita (in Italian). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Bull, J. J. (29 June 2019). "Holland reach first ever Women's World Cup semi-final with two headed goals against Italy". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
- ^ "Con Israele in palio la qualificazione diretta all'Europeo. Bertolini: "E' arrivato il momento di accelerare"" (in Italian). Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Classifica Presenze". FIGC (in Italian). Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Statistiche Gare" (in Italian). figc.it.
- ^ FIFA.com. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Associations - Italy - Women's". FIFA.com. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Italy women's national association football team. |
- Official website (in English and Italian)
- FIFA profile
- Italy women's national football team
- European women's national association football teams